Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. (Ex. 15:17, NIV).
Numerous golf competitions have been dubbed with names that connote a battle. The 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island is known as “The War by the Shore.” Michael Corcoran wrote about the 1977 Open Championship, which pitted Jack Nicklaus against Tom Watson in a book named “Duel in the Sun.”
In Exodus 17, the Israelites, led by Joshua, fought with the Amalekites. Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, watched the battle from the top of a hill. He had a staff—the same staff that he used to part the Red Sea waters and to produce water from a rock in the wilderness for the complaining Israelites—in his hand.
Down in the valley, the Israelites were winning the battle as long as they could see the staff that Moses was holding high. They understood that the staff represented God’s power, might, and ability to bring victory in the battle. As Moses’ hands and arms grew tired and the staff was lowered, the Amalekites took control of the battle. Aaron and Hur helped Moses keep his hands and the staff in the air until Joshua was victorious.
To show his gratitude for the victory and to remind the Israelites of God’s conquering power, Moses built an altar. He called it, “The Lord is Jehovah Nissi.” Nissi is derived from the Hebrew word “Nes” which refers to a pole holding an emblem or crest. Most translations use the name “The Lord is my Banner.”
The banner is a symbol of God’s protection and deliverance. In Psalm 60, David writes: “But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow….” (Psalm 60:4 NIV).
Our lives are filled with battles. Some of those battles may be in the physical realm: sickness and disease, mental health issues, or some form of addiction. Our battles may involve relationship issues with children, spouses, or friends. Other battles may be in the spiritual realm.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
In whatever battles we face, we ought to remember to keep our eyes focused on God’s banner. By doing so, we will be assured that his power and might is with us on those battlefields.
Aaron and Hur who stood by Moses’ side to help him hold his hands up provide a helpful reminder that we need to come alongside others who might be struggling in their battles. We can provide much needed support by encouraging them and holding them up in prayer. We should also seek out our own “Aaron and Hur” who will help us and lift us up when we are weak and weary.
Just as Moses expressed his gratitude to God for being the Israelites banner, we also must give thanks to him for always being there with his banner regardless of the foe or the nature of the battle. He alone can bring victory for us in our battles. For those victories, we must continually express our gratitude to him.
PRAYER – Jehovah-Nissi, we are so thankful that you are the God whose banner we can focus on as we seek victory, through your conquering power and might, in all of our battles.